Triethylamine
Triethylamine is an amine, with the formula N(CH2CH3)3 or NEt3. Pure triethylamine exists as a liquid at room temperature.
Contents
Properties
Physical
Triethylamine is a colorless liquid with a melting point of -114.7 °C and a boiling point around 88.6 °C. It has a strong, fishy odor reminiscent of ammonia.
Chemical
Triethylamine is a base commonly used in organic chemistry to prepare esters and amides from acyl chlorides.Like other tertiary amines,it catalyzes the formation of urethane foams and epoxy resins.
Availability
Preparation
There are many ways to make triethylamine, though only a few are efficient.
THIS SIMPLIFIED OUTLINE STILL NEEDS IMPROVEMENT. FOR A FULL PROCEDURE,SEE THE LINKED REFERENCE.
Triethylamine can be prepared by heating ethyl bromide and anhydrous ammonia in absolute ethanol in an oven for three hours, removing the product, distilling off the alcohol, and adding hydrochloric acid to the product to convert it to its hydrochloride salt. Melt the triethylamine hydrochloride and filter off the ammonium chloride crystals that remain. After filtering, freebase the triethylamine and once again add ethyl bromide. Heat in a steam oven for three hours and allow it to slowly cool. Remove the resulting liquid.[1]
Projects
- Quaternary ammonium compounds
- Anesthetize mosquitoes
Handling
Safety and toxicity
Triethylamine is a toxic liquid.
Legal issues
Storage
Triethylamine should be stored in a special cabinet, away from any heat source.
Disposal
Triethylamine can be diluted with a flammable solvent and burned in an open place.
Adding an acid will convert it to salt, which is easier to dispose of.
